Presser-foot and attachment.



N0. 764,1'34- PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. S. LASKEY.

PRESSER FOOT AND ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION EILEE JAN. 4, '1900. RENEWED NOV. 12. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 764,134. I PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. s. LASKEY. PRESSER FOOT AND ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4 1900. RENEWED NOV. 12, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

all] I Illllll T UNITED STATES Patented .Iuly 5, i304.

PATE T OFFICE.

PRESS'ER-FOOT AND ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,134, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed January 4, 1900. Renewed November 12, 1903. Serial No. 180,959. (No model.)

T0 at whom; it may concern.-

Be it known that I, STEPHEN LAsKEY, a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Presser-Feet and Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a novel presser-foot in which is preferably combined an ordinary presser-foot together with an under turner or edge-guide which is capable of being thrown into or out of operative position, so that the under turner or edge-guide may be employed or not, as may be desired.

My invention further relates to a novel hemmer or feller the under turner of which is attached to the presser-foot and forms a part thereof, while the upper turner is formed by a separate member which can be freely swung into or out of operative position, depending upon whether it is desired to use it or not.

My invention further relates to a novel hemmer or feller composed of an under turner which is yieldingly attached to the presserfoot proper, while the upper turner consists of a member which is yieldingly attached to a lever fastened to the shankof the pres'serfoot.

' Referring now to the accompanying sheets of'drawings, in which the same characters of reference are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a presser-foot and attachment embodying my invention with the lever carrying the upper turner raised to its inoperative position. Fig. 2 is a similar View, but with the lever in its operative position and some of the parts omitted or broken away, as will be de-' scribed. Fig. 3 is an opposite side elevation with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1'. Figs. 4 and 5 are top and bottom plan views, respectively, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a front elevation with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the presser-foot proper; and Figs. 8 to 15 are somewhat diagrammatic,

sectional views, showing the various kinds of work that can 1 is the presser-bar of the sewing-machine,

to which the shank 2 of the presser-foot,

which is provided with the channel 3, into which the bar 1 takes, is fastened by the screw 4. This shank 2 has secured at its lower forward end 5, preferably pivotally, although it might be rigid, the presser-foot proper, 6, which may be of any'desired construction, such as the double one shown in my Patent No. 617,751, January 17, 1899; but I have shown the ordinary single form as somewhat simpler and better adapted to illustrate without confusion the features of my present invention. This foot 6 consists of the body portion 7, having a channel 8 therein into which the end 5 takes, and the apertures 9, through which, together with a corresponding aperture in the end 5, the pivot 10, for which I preferably use a screw-bolt, passes to pivotally secure the foot to the shank. On the left-hand side the toe 11 of the foot is of the ordinary construction; but on the right-hand side I employ the member 12, which I preferably-mount so as to be yielding relative to the foot 6 and also adjustable in an inoperative as. well as an operative position. This I effect by forminga recess 13 (shown in Fig. 7) therein extending to the notch 14, through which the needle 15 passes. This recess 13 is adapted to receive the inner end of the turning or guiding member 12, which I shall hereinafter refer to as the under turner, which is pivotally mounted therein by the screw 16, passing through an aperture therein and into the corresponding screw-threaded hole 17 in the foot 6. To hold this under turner yieldingly either in its operative or inoperative position, (shown in full and dotted lines, respectively, in Figs. 1 and 3,) I form the notches 18 and 19 therein and place the plunger 20, havinganose shaped to'cooperate with the notches 18 and 19, in.

theaperture 21 of the foot 6 and also place the, spring 22 therein back of the plunger, so as to cause it to hold the under turner yieldingly, as desired. This under turner has its width reduced, as at 23, and just beyond this reduced portion is a horizontal flange 24c of the shape shown in Fig. 5, which normally rests when the under turner is in its operative position upon the feed-table. WVhile the inner vertical bearing-surface of the guide or under turner 12 extends rearwardly with its bottom edge in contact with the surface upon which the presser-foot rests to a point beyond where the tread-surface of the presser-foot contacts with said surface, so as to insure the proper guidance of the fabric until it is clamped by the presser-foot, the flange 24 terminates in advance of the horizontal portion of the tread-surface of the presser-foot, so that the fabric passing over the flange may then pass beneath the presser -foot. The portion 25 of the under turner adjacent the forward portion of this flange 24 is preferably curved, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and directed forwardly, so as to form the under turning member of a hemmer or feller. Y

The upper turning member is preferably mounted upon an arm or lever 26, which is yieldingly secured in the operative or inoperative positions of Figs. 2 and 1, respectively, by the following mechanism: The shank 2 has a rearwardly-extending portion 27, through which a circular aperture 28 extends nearly to the opposite side, at which point the diameter of said aperture is reduced to form a shoulder, so that the circular aperture 29 concentric therewith in the opposite side covers only a portion of the area of the larger one 28. Fitting into this aperture 28 is a cylindrical plug or bearing 30, the inner end of which, 31, is reduced so as to pass through the aperture 29 and is squared off so as to secure the lever 29 thereon, which has an aperture 32 therein corresponding in shape to the end 31, which passes therethrough. A screw 33, passing into the hole 34 in the end 31, serves to hold the plug and the lever 26 from longitudinal'and lateral movements, respectively. A spring-pressed plunger 34, similar to the plunger 20, is placed in the recess 35 in the shank 2 (which recess may be conveniently bored through the aperture 36) and cooperates with the notches 36 and 37 to hold the lever 26 in its operative and inoperative positions, respectively.

The lever 26 is of the general shape shown in Figs. 1' and 2, and its main function is to serve as a support for theupper turning member proper,to be described, although its lower forward end, which may be conveniently beveled off, as at 38, may sometimes serve as an edge-guide in doing some kinds of work. The upper turning member proper, or the upper turner, as I shall hereinafter call it, consists of the curved flange 39, which terminates the elongated plate or bar 40, which is pivotally connected to the lever 26, preferably by the screw 41 passing through an ear 42,turned up from the plate 40, through an aperture in a spring to be referred to and into an aperture in the lever 26. A leaf-spring 43, having an ear 44 through which the screw 41 passes to hold it in position, has its outer free end hearing against a lug 45 projecting outwardly from the under side of the plate beneath the bottom of the lever 26 and serves to hold the upper turner yieldingly downward, its limit of downward movement being fixed by the hook-shaped piece or lug 46, formed on the upper side of the plate 40 and cooperating with the top of the lever 26. The lug incidentally serves to limit the possible upward movement of the upper turner relative to the lever 26. Projecting from the side of the lever 26 and over the curved flange 39 is an arm 47 which has its outer end 48 curved downward, so as to be vertical and parallel with the lever 26, withwhich it is rigid. The inner side of this end48 rests against the outer side of the reduced portion 23 of the under turner and serves to prevent any possible lateral separation between the under and upper turner, which might otherwise be possible owing to their both being carried by levers pivotally mounted at a considerable distance from their working point.

It will be readily apparent that by the mechanism described I have provided a feller that is incapable of lateral expansion, which would be fatal to the accuracy of its work, while it iscapable of free vertical expansion within certain limits to accommodate itself to varying thickness of cloth, seams, .&c., the vertical expansion being permitted by the fact that the turning member is composed of the two parts, the upper and lower, each being mounted so as to yield vertically to expand the turners against the stress of the controlling springs.

It will be readily apparent that the foot and its attachments are capable of three distinct adjustments or combinations.

First. With both the upper and under turner thrown out of action, as shown in the full-line position of the upper turner and in the dottedline position of the under turner in Figs. 1 and 3, in which adjustment the foot operates as an ordinary presser-foot without any guide or turner.

Second. With the upper turner out of action and the under turner in place operating as a guide, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 3. In this position it can be used for making fiat fells, double-edged turning, top finish for pants, wide hems, &c., all as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Third. With both upper and under turner down, as shown in Fig. 2. In this position the parts cooperate to form a feller or hemmer and can be used in ordinary hemming and felling, strap-making, French fells, putting on pockets, &c., as will be more fully described hereinafter.

In Figs. 8 to 15 I have shown by sectional views, somewhat diagrammatic in their nature, the methods employed in making the various seams with my attachments.

In Fig. 8 I show what is known as the fiat fell, which is done with the under turner used as a guide alone. In the part a of the figure I show the positionof the parts in relation to the under turner, the upper piece of material having its edge turned under and resting on and guided by the under turner, while the under piece of material passes beneath it. In the part b of the figure is shown a section of the materials as they appear after they are sewed together.

In the various parts of Fig. 9 I illustrate hemming and felling done with both the upper and under turner. To form the fell, the two pieces are first sewed together, as shown in the part a of the figure, after which the pieces are separated and inserted in the foot, as shown in the part b of the figure. With this arrangement the fell is formed, and after it runs through the machine it appears as shown in the part c of the figure. In the part d of the figure I show how the material is placed in the foot to form anarrow hem, the appearance of the material after it is passed through the attachment being shown in the part c of thefigure. If an edge stitch is desired to be added to the hem, the position of the material is 'reversed, as shown in the part f of the figure,

and the resulting product is shown in the part 9 of the figure.

In Fig. 10 I illustrate what is known as double-edge turning by one operation, and this is-done with the under turner alone, the material being fed to it arranged as shown in the part a of the figure and the resulting work being illustrated in the part b.

In Fig. 11 I show adesirable form of strapmaking for shoulder-straps on apron-overalls, back or buckle straps, &c. This is made at one operation by the use of the upper and under turner, the material being started there- I in as shown in the part a of the figure and the resulting product, with the stitch, being shown in the part b of the figure.

In Fig. 12 I show what is known as the French or bag fell, which is done with both the upper and under turner and which is used in various places in dressmaking, &c. The edges of the pieces are fed into the attachment, being started as shown in the part a of the figure and the resulting fell with the seam being shown in the part b. V

In Fig. 131 show a top finish for pants, and it will be seen that this is first stitched with the goods laid flat, like the-flat fell shown in Fig. 8, and the curtain or extreme under portion is then turned down, as shown.

In Fig. 14: I illustrate a desirable method of putting on pockets. The upper edge of the pockets of course will be first hemmed, as in Fig. 9, after whichthe sides will be attached to the main body of the goods by'using the under turner, as shown in the part a of the figure, the resulting appearance of the work being shown in the part b of the figure. The inner stitch is subsequently put in with the upper and under turner both out of position and with the material guided by the left-hand edge of the foot, as shown in the part 0 of the figure, the resulting work being shown by the part (Z of the figure.

In Fig. 15 I show the method of forming a wide hem by the use of the under turner, the parts being in the position shown in the part a of the figure, while the resulting work appears in the part I) of the figure. The narrow hem is made as described above in connection with Fig. 9.

While I have shown some of the uses to which my presser-foot and attachment readily adapts itself, it will be understood that it is capable of other uses and that owing to'the variety of the work which can be done with it simply by changing the position of the partst'. a, throwing the upper and under turners into and out of action, as desired it is of great practical value not only for factory work, where all the Various seams illustrated are constantly employed, but also for domestic work, where they are used somewhat less frequently.

- While I have shown my invention as embodied in the form which I at present consider best adapted to carry out its purposes, it will be understood that it is capable of some modi- 3 fications and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be necessitated by the state of the prior art.

. What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. Ina device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot,of an edge-guide pivotally attached thereto on a horizontal-axis ofv the tread-surface of the presser-foot and adapted to rest upon the bed-plate of the ma- 'chine when in its operative position, and confor yieldingly holding the latter in an operative or inoperative position, substantially as and for the purpose described. 3. In a device of the classde'scribed', the comnections between said presser-foot and guide bination with the presser-foot, of an edge-guide pivotally attached thereto on a horizontal axis and having a horizontal flange projecting inwardly therefrom at its lower edge in advance of the tread-surface of the presser-foot and adapted to rest upon the bed-plate of the machine when in its operative position, and connections between said presser-foot and guide for yieldingly holding the latter in an operative or inoperative position, said connections comprising a spring-pressed plunger mounted in said foot and cooperating with notches formed on said guide, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In adevice of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of an ed ge-guide pivotally attach ed thereto on a horizontal axis and having a substantially vertical portion extending with its bottom edge substantially in contact with the bed-plate of the machine from a point in front of the toe of the presser-foot back to the horizontal tread-surface of the foot and a substantially horizontal flange projecting inwardly therefrom at its lower edge in advance of the presser-foot and adapted to rest upon the bed-plate of the machine, and connections between the presser foot and guide to hold the latter yieldingly in contact with the bed-plate.

5. In a device of the class described,the combination with a presser-foot, of an edge-guide yieldingly attached thereto, the operative portion of which consists of a vertical portion having a horizontal flange projectinginwardly therefrom at its lower edge in advance of the tread-surface of the foot, said operative portion being supported at the outer end of a lever pivotally attached to one side of the presser-foot near its bottom and having its lower edge in contact with the surface supporting said presser-foot to a point in the rear of the front edge of the tread-surface thereof.

6. In a device of the class described,the combination with the presser-foot, of an edgeguide pivotal] y attached thereto at one side of said presser-foot and on a horizontal axis and consisting of a lever having its pivotal point at the rear end and upon the said side of the presser-foot proper near its bottom, and its front end consisting of the substantially vertical portion and the horizontal flange projecting inwardly therefrom at its lower edge in advance of the tread-surface of the presserfoot and adapted to rest upon the bed-plate of the machine, and connections between the presser-foot and guide to hold the latter yieldingly in contact with the bed-plate.

7. In a device of the class described,the combination with the presser-foot having one side cut away so as to form the recess 13 therein, of a guide yieldingly pivoted thereto and consisting of the lever having its rear end pivoted in said recess 13 and its front end consisting of the substantially vertical portion and the inwardly-projecting flange at the bottom thereof.

8. In adevice of the class described,the combination with the presser-foot having one side cut away so as to form the recess 13 therein located at one side and in the bottom of the foot proper, of the guide yieldingly pivoted thereto and consisting of the lever having its rear end pivoted in said recess 13 and its front end consisting of the substantially vertical portion and the horizontal flange at the bottom thereof projecting inwardly from the same side of the foot.

9. In a device of the class described,the combination with the presser-foot, of an under turner directly connected thereto and adapted to operate as an edge-guide, and an upper turner physically separated from said under turner and yieldingly mounted and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position, said under and upper turner together being adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of a guide attached thereto at one side of said presserfoot and having a substantially horizontal flange projecting inwardly from the same side of the foot and adapted to operate as an under turner, connections between said foot and guide for yieldingly holding the guide in an operative or an inoperative position, and an upper turner yieldingly mounted upon the foot and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position without regard to the position of the under turner, said under and upper turner together in their operative positions being adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of an under turner yieldingly connected thereto so as to be capable of movement vertically and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, and an upper turner mounted so as to be capable of yielding vertically and adapted to be swung into and out of operative position, said under and upper turner being supported independently of each other and together being adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of an under turning member connected thereto and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, and an upper turning member yieldingly mounted, said upper and under turning mem-' bers being supported independently of each other and together adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller, and a rigid arm connected with one of said members and cooperating with the other to prevent any lateral expansion between said members.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of an un- IIO der turning member connected thereto so as to be capable of movement vertically and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, an upper turning member mounted so'as to be capable of yielding vertically, said under and upper turning members being supported independently of each other and together adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller, and a rigid arm connected to one of said members and cooperating with the other to prevent any lateral expansion between said parts while permitting vertical expansion.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with the presser-foot, of an under turning member connected thereto, and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, and an upper turning member yieldingly mounted, said members being adapted to operate as a hemmer and feller and being carried at the front end of separate levers pivotally mounted at their rear ends, and a rigid arm connected to one of said members and cooperating with the other to prevent any lateral expansion between said members while freely permitting vertical expansion.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination with an under turning member carried by the presser-foot and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, of an upper turning member cooperating therewith and consisting of a lever pivoted toward the rear of the presser-foot independently of the under turning member and having the turningflange at its forward end in advance of said presser-foot, and means for holding said turning members yieldingly in operative relation to each other to cooperate in forming a hemmer and feller.

16. In a device of the class described, the

combination with an under turning member carried by the presser-foot and adapted to operate by itself as an edge-guide, of an upper turning member cooperating therewith, and consisting of a lever pivoted toward the rear of the presser-foot independently of the under turning member and having the turningflange at its forward end in advance of said presser-foot, and a spring for holding said upper turning member yieldingly in proper cooperative relation with the under turning member to act as a hammer and feller.

17 In a device of the class described, the combination with an under turning member, of an upper turning member mounted upon a lever pivoted in a position to the rear of the presser-bar and adapted to be yieldingly held in an operative or inoperative position, said upper turning member consisting of a lever pivoted to said arm toward the rear of the presser-foot and having the turning-flange at its forward end, and a spring for holding said upper turning member yieldingly in proper cooperative relation with the under turning member.

18. In a device of the class described, the combination with an under turning member, of an upper turning member, both of said members being carried by separate levers pivotally mounted in positions toward the rear of the presser-foot which are adapted to yield to separate said members, and having the turning members thereof at the forward end of said levers and in advance of said presser-foot.

v STEPHEN LASKEY. Witnesses:

LOUISE E. SERAGE,

HATTIE O. HALVORSON. 

